NAVI MUMBAI: A work order of Rs 539 crore has been issued by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) for redevelopment of the Karal Phata Bridge. The existing bridge, which connects the various container yards in Uran taluka to the Jawaharlal Nehru Port at Nhava Sheva, will be reportedly demolished and a new bridge will be built by the consortium of J Kumar, J M Mhatre Infra Pvt Ltd and Thakur Infrastructure Pvt Ltd. As per the work order, the consortium will have to complete the bridge in the next two years.
This is a part of the Rs 2,000-crore road infrastructure project from Palaspe phata in Panvel till JNPT in Uran.
Meanwhile, JNPT chairman Anil Diggikar has assured that temporary repair work on the pothole-ridden Karal Bridge will be carried out from Friday.
JNPT's trustee Mahesh Baldi said, " In August 2014, PM Narendra Modi had laid the foundation stone for a port connectivity highway project. It is one of the many projects for the overall development of the port which is estimated to incur an expenditure of Rs 4,000 crore. As promised by the BJP government, the project has been expedited and the work order of Rs 539 crore has been issued for redevelopment of the Karal Bridge, the prime connecting bridge to JNPT."
The exiting four-lane Karal Bridge will be converted into eight lanes. This is being done after considering the rapid development in the area on account of development of the port, JNPT-SEZ and the proposed international airport among other upcoming projects.
It will augment the carrying capacity of the existing road network to 6/8 lane configuration by providing improved facilities comprising flyovers, railway over bridges and interchanges for uninterrupted road traffic flow connecting the port and the national highways, added Baldi.
NHAI's regional officer, Prashant Fegade said, "The project will be carried out under the National Highway Development and Port Connectivity Programme of the Central government."
Baldi added that until the Karal Bridge is redeveloped, the JNPT administration has been asked to repair the pothole-ridden bridge as the heavy motor vehicles are facing difficulty to ply on the bridge.
JNPT's chairman Anil Diggikar said, "The necessary pothole-filling work of the Karal bridge will start from October 23. To complete the repairs, Rs 50 lakh will be spent and the work will be completed in two weeks."
Source : timesofindia.indiatimes.com